What is a long-term consequence of chronic pancreatitis due to alcohol use?

• A. Impaired digestion and diabetes risk
• B. Improved digestion and glucose tolerance
• C. Increased bone density
• D. Enhanced insulin production without complications

Answer: (A)

Chronic pancreatitis from alcohol repeatedly inflames and slowly scars the pancreas, leading to loss of both its digestive enzyme production (exocrine function) and its hormone-producing cells (endocrine function). When enzymes like lipase, amylase, and proteases are reduced, the body struggles to properly digest fats and other nutrients, causing malabsorption, steatorrhea, weight loss, and deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins. At the same time, damage to the insulin-producing cells can decrease insulin availability, increasing the risk of glucose intolerance or diabetes. So the long-term consequences include impaired digestion and diabetes risk, which fits the pattern of pancreatic damage from alcohol use. The other options describe improvements or conditions that aren’t typical outcomes of chronic pancreatitis (digestion wouldn’t improve; bone density isn’t reliably increased; insulin production isn’t enhanced without complications).